You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If…

Sep 15

Cryptids. They’re the mysterious creatures that hide in the shadows of folklore and the edges of our imagination. From the towering Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest, to the winged Mothman of Point Pleasant, to the swamp-dwelling Skunk Ape of Florida, these legends captivate us because they live right on the border between myth and reality.

Some people read about cryptids in books, others watch documentaries or movies. But there’s a special kind of person who takes it a step further — the cryptid hunter.

So how do you know if you might be one of them? Here’s a humorous, detailed, and slightly spooky guide filled with stories, lore, and practical signs that you might just be a cryptid hunter at heart.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Can’t Walk in the Woods Without Looking for Tracks

Most people go hiking to enjoy the trees, the fresh air, or maybe take a few selfies at the summit. You? You’re scanning the mud for Bigfoot footprints, comparing the length to your own shoe, and wondering if that was a deer print or something more mysterious.

A true cryptid hunter doesn’t just walk through the forest — they read it like a book. Bent saplings? That could be a Sasquatch marker. Strange claw marks on bark? Maybe the Jersey Devil passed through. Every leaf and twig is a clue.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Own More Trail Cameras Than TVs

For a cryptid hunter, technology isn’t just for convenience — it’s for evidence. Your trail cameras are always charged and ready to capture that fleeting moment when a shadowy figure slips through the trees.

Sure, you might end up with 10,000 pictures of raccoons, deer, and the neighbor’s cat, but you know it’s worth it for the chance at one frame of Bigfoot strolling by.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… Your Book Collection is 90% Cryptozoology

Some people collect cookbooks or travel guides. You? Your shelves are filled with titles like Monsters of America, The Sasquatch Field Guide, Encounters with Mothman, and Chupacabra Chronicles.

You can quote cryptid researchers the way others quote sports statistics. Loren Coleman? You know his work by heart. Ivan T. Sanderson? A legend. And you’ve probably marked your favorite Bigfoot sightings in dog-eared copies.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Plan Vacations Around Cryptid Hotspots

When someone says they’re going to Florida, they mean Disney World or the beaches. When you say you’re going to Florida, you mean the Everglades — home of the Skunk Ape.

A trip to West Virginia? You’re not just visiting; you’re heading straight to the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant. Oregon? Forget Portland — you’re hiking the Cascades for Sasquatch sightings.

Your bucket list isn’t about landmarks — it’s about cryptid encounters.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You See Eyeshine Everywhere

Walk through the woods at night and your flashlight catches glowing eyes. Most people would assume deer or raccoons. You freeze, heart pounding, wondering: Could it be something else?

Red eyes? That might be Mothman. Amber eyes? Bigfoot, perhaps. You record it on your phone, just in case.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Believe in the Power of Stories

Being a cryptid hunter isn’t just about chasing evidence. It’s about respecting folklore and the people who keep these stories alive. You know that Indigenous legends of Sasquatch go back centuries, and you honor them. You see the cultural meaning in tales of the Wendigo, the Thunderbird, or the Lake Champlain monster Champ.

For you, cryptid hunting is about keeping traditions alive as much as it is about finding something new.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… Your Friends Call You at 2 a.m.

“Hey, I heard a weird howl outside my cabin. What do you think it is?”

If you’re the one they call, congratulations — you might be a cryptid hunter. Your friends trust your knowledge of strange noises, unusual prints, and folklore explanations. To them, you’re the local expert on the unexplained.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Laugh at Skeptics but Respect Science

You know the ridicule that comes with being interested in cryptids. You’ve heard it all: “It’s just bears!” “There’s no evidence!”

But you also know science matters. You follow DNA testing reports on alleged hair samples. You read about environmental DNA (eDNA) research. You believe in keeping an open mind — but you also want evidence that stands up to scrutiny.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Travel With a Kit

In your car, you’ve got:

A plaster casting kit for footprints.
Extra batteries for cameras.
A notebook filled with sketches of tree structures.
A thermos of coffee (because night hunts are long).

You’re always prepared. After all, you never know when you’ll stumble on something worth documenting.

You Might Be a Cryptid Hunter If… You Just Can’t Stop Looking Up

Whether it’s the night sky or tree canopies, your eyes are always scanning. Cryptid hunters know that the unexplained doesn’t just happen on the ground. Strange lights? Could be connected to UFOs and Bigfoot. Giant bird-like shadows? Maybe a Thunderbird.

Where others see nothing, you see possibilities.

Why Being a Cryptid Hunter Matters

Some might laugh at the idea of chasing cryptids, but being a hunter of the unexplained is about curiosity, community, and connection. You’re part of a tradition that blends science, storytelling, and exploration. You remind people that the world still holds mysteries — and that maybe, just maybe, Bigfoot is out there.

So, Are You a Cryptid Hunter?

If you’ve nodded along to these signs, there’s a good chance you’re already a cryptid hunter — whether you’ve cast a footprint, attended a Mothman Festival, or just spend late nights scrolling through Bigfoot forums.

Being a cryptid hunter isn’t about proving everyone wrong. It’s about wonder, curiosity, and the joy of searching for answers in the dark corners of the world.

So grab your notebook, your trail camera, and your sense of adventure. Because if you might be a cryptid hunter… you probably are.